Today, just easy thoughts. This past weekend was quiet, nothing exciting, definitely nothing sensational. Too hot to spend time outside, but comfortable in the house planning an Autumn trip to France.
Do you travel? Enjoy it? Which part is the most difficult for you? The planning process, or the actual going? Do you plan a long time ahead or are you a last minute traveler, up and running when an opportunity or a bargain fare suddenly appears?
Where in this world have you been? Which city, town or village was such a thrill to visit, the memories are etched on your mind in permanent ink? I hope to share some of my favorite places soon.
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There is nothing I'd rather do than travel. A big part of the thrill for me is planning a trip, reading and researching where we are going. Right now some of my best memories are of trips to England. So beautiful there.
ReplyDeleteI love travelling! We are so fortunate to have been able to visit many fascinating places, Hawaii, Penang, Australia and Canada, and much of Europe. If you asked me for a favourite, it would have to be my home of Cornwall.
ReplyDeleteI love traveling! I haven't been to Europe yet. I've done most of my wanderings in the US. Hawaii and New Orleans were favorites!
ReplyDeleteMary, I just read your musing on travelling and looked at the photo of our corner of the world. This made me realise that although I love to travel, especially back home to England to see my beloved parents, and I want to get to the corners of Europe that have opened up since the demise of communism, my very favourite journey is my journey back home to Caunes. I love this village and look forward to your visit here in the autumn when the vine leaves will be at their most beautiful and the new wine just coming through!
ReplyDeleteAlison xx
I haven't been all around the world but I traveled a lot in Brazil and in the US. I think my first year here I got to see about 30 different cities and 11 different states. In Brazil almost the whole east coast from on end to the other. Great memories... but all my pictures are at my parents home. I'm trying to get them to send me some of them. Bug hugs!! Vanessa
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post for a Tuesday morning. I will be anticipating more on your travel memoirs.
ReplyDeleteI haven't ever had the opportunity to travel much. My travels have all been in the southeast US. When I was younger, I wanted to see the world, and that would still be nice. But, now I would really be happy to see each of our own states. Hopefully, we will be able to get around more when we retire.
For now, I love all of the opportunities to see beautiful places through the eyes of others.
My husband and I discovered the joys of cruising in March 2005. Now, we are planning our 10th cruise for next month. My very favorite trip was to the British Isles. This new trip starts in Dover and I insisted on a couple of extra days in England just to see some more of the countryside!! We don't plan very far in advance. Most of our trips are scheduled for about 8 weeks in advance. Any more than that and I would go crazy with anticipation. I love to visit your blog - thanks for sharing!
ReplyDelete:o) Marian in Atlanta
Mary,
ReplyDeleteGreat idea. I love to travel and would go most anywhere at the drop of a hat if the opportunity presented itself. After all this heat and humidity even the Alaskan drizzle could call my name, lol. Maybe it is because we don't have AC or the trickle of a fountain, but fall is just around the corner...can you believe it?
Janet
Mary, I LOVE to travel too. I find the hardest part to be deciding on an itinerary, making the plans, etc. I've been to France twice, Italy twice, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Scotland, England twice, China, and Mexico several times. I think my favorite desintations are villages where I can settle in and just enjoy the rhythym of daily life. Some of my favorites have been Vernazza in Italy, Honfleur in France, Chagford in England, and Crail in Scotland. Although fabulous destinations like Paris, Rome, London, Neuschwanstein, Beijing and the Great Wall are etched in my brain quite strongly.
ReplyDeleteWhen the Lord of the Manor and I were younger, we lived on a sailboat and traveled to Mexico from the San Franciso Bay. We also flew airplanes around; Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Colorado, Arizona, Texas. I guess I just have restless feet.....or an endless curiosity about the world. I truly think traveling promotes understanding, tolerance, and admiration of other cultures. I don't presently have a trip planned, so I'm looking forward to seeing your travels.
Laura
This sounds wonderful...I'll be looking for your travel tales!
ReplyDeleteThe two most unique far off places that I have been are Kagoshima, Japan and Warsaw, Poland. But then, there is just no place quite like home. Sigh.
I absolutely love planning a trip. Getting all the details ironed out and visiting all sorts of websites. Love it!
ReplyDeleteThe city that stands out for me is Charleston South Carolina. Absolutely lovely. I would enjoy another trip for a longer stay. In fact that whole coast between Virginia and Georgia is on my list for return visit. Outer Banks and all the other lovely places keep calling my name.
No travel this year. We do plan a short trip to Big Cedar Lodge, this Fall for our anniversary. It's right here in Missouri and gorgeous during Autumn.
Hi Mary,
ReplyDeleteThat is a great old building in your photo today! Where is it?
I haven't traveled much outside the U.S. I plan to visit England & France in the next couple of years. I hope to go with my sister who lived in England, so I'll have a great tour guide!
My husband & I love road trips. Two years ago, we took 5 weeks and drove from California to the east coast. We went from Maine to Virginia, and the back home. I saw so much of this beautiful country!
Can't wait to see your photos!
The hardest part is leaving Edward and Apple behind with the dogsitter.
ReplyDeleteI travel vicariously through all of you .... and through all the wonderful documentary channels on TV.
ReplyDeleteI am a terrible traveler. I miss my pets, my home, my bed, my garden. I hate the car. I get sick on planes and boats.
I'm definitely a "party-pooper" when it comes to traveling.
What a timely subject, Mary!
ReplyDeleteYesterday and all morning today have have been planning our next trip. Phones calls back and forth to the travel agent all morning....definitely, for me, the planning stage is the most difficult. For this trip to Australia, we are last minute planners even though we've known about it for almost a year.
I think I enjoyed out trip to France, England and Scotland the most. Finding my great-grandparent's home in Crook, England was most menorable for me - the emotions of that minute - I will never forget!
Break is over - back to the phone and gasps when I hear those airline prices.
xoxo, Deborah
Hi Mary, ...just ME again. Please excuse the mistakes. I was trying to post quickly so that I could get back to the phone.
ReplyDeleteForgot to mention the far away places I've been:
Central America
Japan
Spain
North Africa
France
England
Scotland
Austria
Germany
Canada
Barbados
hmmm, might have forgotten a place - anyway, I love to travel!
xoxoxo,
Deborah
I do love armchair (via blogs or books) traveling, and am looking forward to your future posts!
ReplyDeleteIn real life, outside the USA I've been to Israel three times with very short side trips to London and Rome; and Paris for two weeks in 2001...so much more to see and do.
I'd prefer to be a spontaneous traveler but have always been tied down with work or family responsibilities...but now we are both retired perhaps we can be a little more spontaneous in the future...
I'd love to travel someday - but for now I am contented to be an "armchair travler" - or would that be "blogger-traveler"?? Either way, I can feel like I've been there by all the beauitful photography, not to mention the commentary. So, keep traveling (for me) and keep snapping those photos (for me) and I will be ever grateful (for you!)
ReplyDeleteColleen
Hi Mary!
ReplyDeleteI have purposely not visited in the last couple of days, because I have received my book and not had a chance to read it yet :-). Your garden in Auguest looks lovely!
I so love to travel. Local, out of the state...out of the country. My favorite trips so far have been to Italy this spring, the wine country in Ca and Sante Fe in early fall. I have wonderful memories for all of them.
The hardest part of travel for me is deciding what to pack. Seems I have too much or too little each time :-)
Hugs,
Penny
Oh I am such a home body..I can't wait to see where you've been.
ReplyDeleteI'm still dreaming of Ireland!!!!
love and hugs..Deena
Hi Mary,
ReplyDeleteI'm keeping close tabs on your planning since I'm going next Summer and have never been there before. How exciting you are going!
Mandy
Autumn is the best time to visit France... we were there Sept. last year and it was amazing... you'll be surrounded by a blast of colors as fall approaches, you’ll love all the leaves dancing around you and the beautiful places to see.... it’ll be magical...
ReplyDeleteEnjoy!
cielo
How wonderful to be planning such a trip. I can no longer afford to travel, but I did take two memorable trips.
ReplyDeleteDan and I went to Greece on our honeymoon. We were able to go quite cheaply because I worked for Pan Am at the time.
When I was between my sophomore and junior years in college, I won a scholarship to study in France. My two girlfriends and I, who also won scholarships, bummed around Europe up until July 14 when we got to Pau, France, where our school was. I fell in love with Pau and wish I could go back one day.
I never got to England (sob)or Italy. Almost got to Spain (just across the border from Pau) but skipped the tour at the last minute.
What a gorgeous photo that is! And I want to sit in a cool room and hear trickling water!
ReplyDeleteFrance is my favorite place I've ever lived. And Israel was a fascinating place to visit.
Great post! It's fun to hear everyone's travel favorites!
Oh I have been around the world in many countries: Usa, Canada, Scotland,Portugal,Greece,France, Germany,Italy,Thailand,The whole of Scandinavia...before the kids! Now I´m just a mind and blog traveller!Hope to be abel to travel more soon now that the kids have grown a bit.
ReplyDeleteBut now Mary I want You to collect something on my blog! So pop over to my place!
hugs
Liisa
Mary, Mary, I can just see you planning! We are not big travelers here. If I did travel a lot, however, I would plan ahead so as to find all the out-of-the-way places that take some time to find out about.
ReplyDeleteI was over at Vintage Revival (Uniquitiques) yesterday and found the cutest hat and vintage purse and apron. They have such lovely things!!
Lynn
Mary
ReplyDeleteWell I have been many places but tops so far for me are Ubud, Bali, Indonesia, and Provence, France.
I know you are planning a fall trip to Provence and of course I am so happy for you and we will want to hear all about it.
Mim
Mary,
ReplyDeleteWell, I actually enjoy the anticipation of travel for sure. And of course the icing on the cake is reaching and discovering my destination. A few of my favorite places are London, San Diego, Sedona, and of course New York City. Looking forward to hearing all about your travels.
Rose
My travel memories from France are ALL so vivid and wonderful that I devoted a special category on my blog, My Beloved Paris, but it includes all of France we've visited.
ReplyDeleteAnd come October, I'll have more to add.......and you'll be in many of those photos and memories.
Terri
http://www.islandwriter.net